Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 26th, 2013 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Scattered flurries (with only light accumulations) and moderate westerly winds will persist over the next few days. Freezing levels may bump up to 1800m on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

West of the divide the mid-pack is generally well settled. The early January surface hoar exists down ~50 cm in some areas but is decomposing and unreactive to slope tests and compression tests. East of the divide the mid-pack is mostly faceted. Throughout the region some fresh wind slabs up to 25 cm thick exist in lee alpine features.

Avalanche Summary

No slab avalanches observed. Loose snow avalanches up to Class 1.5 were observed out of steep terrain.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent moderate to strong S and W winds have created fresh wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine. Slab thickness will range from 10-30 cm. These slabs were unreactive in recent field tests but could produce avalanches up to Class 2.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 27th, 2013 4:00PM